Safety and Welfare
ECS has over 30 years experience in organising Accredited English Language and activity courses for children and teenagers. We have built a reputation for providing a safe, first class experience for our pupils. It is our specialisation and our passion and we aim to do it best:
The British Council
ECS - English Country Schools - is Accredited by The British Council for both our summer courses and our online teaching. Inspectors visit our school to examine the premises, teaching, food, welfare, etc. This encourages excellence and ensures that your child will be well taught and cared for. For further information please see The British Council's web site.
English UK
We are founder members of Young Learners English UK providing additional training, advice and lobbying on the care and education of under-18s in English Language schools. Sarah Etchells, one of the Directors of ECS, is Joint Chair of Young Learners English UK with particular responsibility for welfare and safeguarding.
Supervision and safety
We focus absolutely on the wellbeing and happiness of our pupils. Students are under the care and attention of experienced staff from arrival to departure. Each boarding house has its own House Parent to oversee the supervision and welfare of the occupants. The Directors of ECS, Christopher and Sarah Etchells, live at Port Regis during the summer to oversee the courses. The atmosphere is friendly and caring and a local doctor is available 24 hours. All staff are background checked to ensure their suitability to work with children. Our Child Safeguarding Policy, reviewed annually, is available here
Food
We provide a balanced, healthy diet for our pupils with plenty of fresh, enjoyable food. At each main meal (lunchtime and evening) there is a choice between two hot dishes, one of which is vegetarian, and an extensive salad bar. There are morning, afternoon and evening snacks and fresh fruit is available throughout the day. Meals at Port Regis are served in a bright, modern canteen overlooking the school grounds. House parents assist the younger children in making a balanced choice. Pork products are clearly labelled and there is always a non-pork alternative. We are able to cater for particular individual requirements (eg. non gluten, non dairy) provided we are informed in advance.
Parental testimonials & contacts
You can read testimonials / reviews from parents who have sent children to ECS here. A worldwide list of parental contacts is available here. Any of the parents will be willing to discuss their child's experience of the course.
A listening school
We involve pupils in decision making and collect feedback from pupils, parents and staff to continually assess and improve the quality of our courses. You can see the results of recent surveys here.
Regular reporting
Parents receive a settling in report from their child within the first few days of attending the course. They will also receive a teacher's report at the end of each full teaching week and a report from activity staff and house parents at the end of the child's stay.
Insurance
Comprehensive holiday insurance is included in the course fee for all children attending ECS. Please follow this link for further details.
Visa support
To assist with your application, if your child requires a visa ECS will, after receiving your deposit payment, send a Letter of Confirmation to you containing all the information you need. You can check if your child needs a visa and find further advice here
